Summary: Snow and Emma reunite, while Elsa and Little John celebrate their engagement with friends in the new nightclub. Until a stranger appears. A stranger related to Merlin, who needs Killian's help.


Chapter 31

The Nolan Farm – later that day

It was an emotional, tearful reunion for both mother and daughter. Emma, still feeling guilty about how she'd collaborated with Regina in not telling her about the impromptu wedding. And Snow for over-reacting in her harsh treatment of her daughter. They were too alike, too stubborn, to back down and as a result, they'd both suffered over the last three weeks, missing each other terribly. However, the moment Emma finally showed up at the farm, they'd finally hugged, tears had flowed, apologies given, and after more hugs, mother and daughter were back in a good place. David had watched them silently, smiling to himself and leaving them to talk it all out - just pleased their rift was finally over. He stepped out to join Neal, who was now in the field reuniting with his beloved dog, fluffy.

"What's this I hear about Robin Hood coming back? Ruby mentioned it, when I phoned her."

"Yeah, three days ago. Somehow, Belle, Gold and Merlin, with a little help from Killian, tracked down some ancient spell. You remember when they went on holiday to England? It seems they were also researching there too, without saying a word to Regina or Marian. They worked the spell on the Jolly and brought him back to life. Well, saying that, he wasn't really dead, just…well it's hard to explain. They kept very quiet about it, as they didn't want to upset them if it went wrong. Apparently, Zeus then appeared too, and granted him magic. Really bloody powerful magic! It's weird."

"How are Regina and Marian taking it?"

"I'm still not sure; It was all tears when they first met, but something's happened. Roland's siding with his dad, and won't live with them anymore."

"But he can't do that. He has to live with them - Marian's his mother!"

"But she never brought him up, did she? Robin did. I had a chat with him yesterday, and he's a bit low. Hardly surprising, seeing his dead wife's now alive and shacked up with his girlfriend! Still, Killian's taking him out to Aesop's tomorrow night, for the Elsa and John party."

"What about Zelena? Does she know he's back?"

"Not yet, but she will. She gets back from California next weekend. Apparently, she's engaged! Regina told me she's planning for her and Robyn to live over there permanently. I don't think Regina's told Robin yet, but he's going to go ape-shit when he finds out! And the fact he's now got magic and she hasn't, could make things difficult - for her."

"Well someone had better tell Zelena quickly, just in case there's trouble!"


Aesop's – Thursday night

Cheers erupted when Elsa and John walked into the bar of Storybrooke's newly reopened nightclub. Organised by Will and his wife Anastasia, the former Red Queen, a fair number of the Merry Men and their partners had come, plus Mayor Phil, Mulan and Aurora, several of the dwarves, including a loved-up Leroy with his new bride. There was quite the party developing, and more cheers rang out when the Nolans appeared. "Snow?" yelled Elsa, delighted to see her old friend, gathering her into a hug. The two royal couples shared hugs and well-wishes, catching up on recent news and gossip from Arendelle, as Emma and Killian sauntered in.

"From the look of it mate, babysitters are going to be in short supply tonight?" said the former pirate, being handed a drink by his father-in-law. "Good holiday?"

As the men chatted and bantered with the others, Emma looked over the assembled crowd, to see the front door open once again, the Sorcerer entering with an unfamiliar figure on his arm. A tall, dark-blonde haired, young and extremely elegant woman, wearing an open, clearly expensive long aubergine-coloured designer frock coat, a pale-blue knee length silk dress underneath. As she stopped to remove the coat completely, handing it to one of the bar staff, she revealed a slim, athletic figure. Her Nordic features, similar to Elsa's, were striking.

Snow's jaw dropped. "David – who on earth's that?" she whispered in his ear.

"Absolutely no idea - never seen her before in my life! She's-"

"Stunning!" breathed Ruby, studying the woman, who had now linked her arm in Merlin's once again. "Absolutely stunning!" That earned a frown from Dorothy, who was standing next to her, bringing her hand gently under her fiancée's chin, closing the open mouth and glaring, making her irritation clear.

"Sorry Kansas, but she is! Nothing on you, of course babe, but you have to admit…she looks like a bloody supermodel!"

Emma could only nod in silent agreement. The new arrival was indeed stunning. She felt almost intimidated in the presence of such a goddess. She had Elsa's pale, high-cheek boned Nordic looks; but with large pale-green eyes, sculpted eyebrows, a slender nose and full red lips, and a generous mouth that even Regina would envy! Her shoulder length hair, raked over one shoulder, shone with health. And now, grinning at Merlin, she moved cautiously towards the group near the bar, a little nervous at being stared at by so many.

"Merlin?" Emma's father had already stepped in front of them all. "It's good to see you again. I'm not sure I recognise your friend?"

"My dear chap, where are my manners? David, this is Celia, my daughter. Celia, this is David Nolan, or Prince Charming, as some know him!" As Celia blushed slightly, giving David the slightest bob of a curtsy. "And this lady here is David's beautiful daughter, their local sheriff, Emma."

The Saviour gave a short smile at the compliment, offering a hand now there was no threat, and seeing her mother step forward as Merlin continued. "And this is David's wife, Snow Wh-"

"Snow White?" interrupted Celia, in a British accent, looking like an excited groupie having just spotted her idol. "The fairest of them all? I can't believe I'm actually meeting the real thing! God, you really are beautiful!"

Snow gave her a silent chuckle, offering her hand to shake. "Why thank you, that's very nice of you to say. But, I think when it comes to beauty, I'm looking at the real thing!" she complimented, making the woman blush. "Merlin, I never realised you had children?"

"Dad's had hundreds of children, and dozens of wives, over the centuries!" Celia interrupted before he could answer, looking up at him proudly. "Isn't that right? But there's just four of us alive, in England and over here, and we tend to live mostly in places without any magic."

Emma stepped closer. "But I sensed magic coming off you, when you came in? I recognised your dad's magical signature, but yours is pretty strong too! So, you and the rest of his children have it?"

"Yeah, all of us. My two sisters also, though my brother Charlie's is a mix of light and dark. I'll tell you about us but first, I've just driven five hours and stopped at the convent to change. I need a drink! Do you know where I can find Killian Jones?"

Emma bristled the moment this stunningly beautiful goddess mentioned her husband. And Merlin saw the look. "Darling, Emma here is Killian's wife!"

"Oh, I didn't realise," she mumbled. "Sorry but, erm, my dad said that-"

"Emma, I spoke to Killian, to ask whether he would do me, and my daughter, a kindness."

As if he knew he was being talked about, Killian now appeared beside Emma. "Merlin," he shook his hand, giving him a wry smile. "Causing trouble again?" before turning to look at Celia, who now seemed surprised at the sight of him. "Hello, love. I don't think I've had the pleasure…?"

"Killian, this is my daughter, Celia!" her father explained, as the captain lifted her hand to shake. He would have normally kissed the back of it, but seeing Emma's expression, thought it best not. "We spoke about her this morning?"

"Indeed. It's a pleasure to meet you, milady!" Emma watched the exchange closely. Why would Merlin talk to her husband about his daughter and not her? The young beauty certainly had an interested look in her eyes! Was she 'interested' in him? "Perhaps we should all step over here?" He pointed to a table farthest away from the group.

"Yes, of course. Sorry Killian, I didn't mean to stare, it's just…when dad told me that the former Captain Hook might be willing to help me, I imagined someone…"

"Older? Tricorn hat? Perm?" he waved his restored left hand in the air. "Hook?" which made even Emma smile. "My beloved wife and daughter have introduced me to Disney films! The cartoon was bad enough, but that god awful ham actor playing me, was just too much! And making Pan out to be a hero…"

Celia chuckled. "Well you're certainly a hell of a lot younger than I imagined! And a lot more handsome!" Again, Emma felt awkward seeing her husband being so blatantly flirted with by this young woman. And in front of her? "But I had sort of expected a hook?"

"That was your father's doing! He fixed me up nicely, as you can see. I now have a useful limb to hold the rum…"

As they all chuckled, Emma had heard enough.

"So, what was this 'kindness' that you wanted from my husband?" Celia saw her concern, and turned to place a soft hand on her arm.

"I have a problem. Dad mentioned he spoke to Killian a few days ago about it, and…"

"Indeed, he did!" interrupted Killian, reaching into his pocket and bringing out a small, clear stoppered bottle with liquid inside. Emma instantly recognised it as the same as the little bottles of Nostos water, one of which she'd taken months ago. Water that cured her depression and definitely put a pep in her marriage! "Your father said you were possibly going to be here tonight, so I brought some with me…"

Celia looked at it, cautiously taking it from Killian's hand. "Is that it? Just a tiny bottle of water?"

"It is, my love," said Merlin. "I can sense its magic from here! You can too, if you focus…"

"Emma," said Celia, not letting go of her arm as she looked back at her. It was then Emma realised that the beauty wasn't just flirting with her husband. She naturally flirted with everyone…including her! "A few weeks ago, I was diagnosed with bone cancer. It's inoperable, as we found out. Dad mentioned he may know someone with magical water. He rang your husband and…" she looked up at the former pirate with watery eyes.

"It's the right thing to do, love! I can only hope it'll work for you too. Emma here has taken some in the past, as have I, and…we can vouch for its efficacy. I hope it works."

Celia looked up at him as though he hung the moon, before again looking back at Emma, who now smiled, nodding at the bottle for her to hurry up and take it. She opened the wooded stopper, giving her father a quick glance back. Once he nodded, she swallowed its contents in one quick gulp, before studying the empty container. "Dad told me that Lake Nostos is gone forever? That you hold the very last of it?"

"It would appear so. A tragic loss. I even saw it play a part in bringing a man, dead for over three years, back to life this week. It is rather miraculous stuff."

"And youl let me have it, despite its rarity? Captain, if it works like dad said it could, you'll have saved my life!" she quickly pulled herself into him in a fierce hug, kissing his cheek. "I'll never be able to repay you for this, but…"

He accepted her hug, wrapping an arm around her back. "I'm just glad to help, love. Your father helped me, so it's the least I could do."

As he spoke, for a moment the woman's head appeared to glow slightly, as though light had been shone from within. Her hair billowed out and her cheeks flushed. "Wow! Not sure what but...something just happened!"

"From one very grateful father to another, thank you, Killian," said Merlin, looking at Emma. "Now, what say we get you that drink? There's a bunch of real-life heroes and storybook characters you should meet…"


It was only twenty minutes later, as Emma introduced Merlin's daughter to Archie Hopper, explaining his other world alter ego as Jiminy Cricket, that Robin walked through the club door, to more cheers. Celia, seeing him, gently pulled Emma's arm, as though she was a friend, to whisper. "Emma…who's that? The guy who just walked in?"

"What…oh, Robin? Yeah, that's Robin Hood. He's, erm, just back from the dead."

"Robin Hood? You've gotta be joking, right? He's gorgeous! Still, if that's Robin Hood, that means he's married. Maid Marian? Shame…"

"Actually he's single. Has been since he came back! Marian kinda…married again." Emma knew she shouldn't have necessarily said anything but, slightly relieved the girl wasn't interested in Killian, she remembered how low the former outlaw had been yesterday. Perhaps a little interest from someone else would help pick him up?

"Really?" she said, looking him over.


About ten minutes later, Marian and Regina arrived to see the party in full swing. Merlin appeared to be in the middle of it, talking to Elsa and Little John, all with drinks in their hands. She was about to walk through the middle of the gathering in her inimitable, regal style, when she spotted Snow White nearby, chatting with Ruby and Dorothy. "Shit!" she muttered to herself, remembering the last time they had spoken. She felt Marian's arm link through hers.

"You'll be fine! Just apologise, get it over with and move on. Tell her we did it impromptu and never meant offence. Don't worry about it. Now, can I get you a drink?" Regina nodded, walking towards her former nemesis, who by now had spotted her, giving her a tiny glance before again focusing on something Ruby had said, till finally:

"Snow? I see you're back. Good vacation?"

The crop-haired brunette finally looked up at her, as Ruby and Dorothy smiled to acknowledge her as well. "Regina. Yes, a lovely break, thank you. Much needed. We called in on old friends from Misthaven who now live in Martha's Vineyard. Always nice to see old friends and family who really appreciate you and like being with you, isn't it?" The last words delivered in a sarcastic tone.

Regina sighed. Well, Marian told her to get it over with! "Snow…I apologise. I didn't mean to slight you! We just wanted a quick, simple ceremony without any fuss, which is why we did it in New York. Please don't take it out on Emma. It was entirely my fault, and I shouldn't have been so inconsiderate. Again…I'm sorry."

There was an awkward silence as Snow considered her words. It was very rare for Regina to apologise for anything! "I have already spoken to Emma, and we're good now. But it was incredibly hurtful, Regina. I was angry with you for weeks after but…well, I'm over it now. Are you still planning a formal wedding ceremony locally this year?"

"No…after you left, we decided to postpone it. We'll do it sometime next year. There's no rush."

"Good luck with that. I heard about Robin being returned from the dead? He's looking well and certainly looks great in a suit! You must be so pleased...for Roland's sake?"

She jolted. "Robin's already here?" she scanned the group, looking for him.

"Down on the dance floor. I just saw him with Celia, she…" at her words, Regina had already stepped away, moving towards the small viewing gallery which surrounded the basement dance floor, where only about ten people were dancing to a slow number. As she drew closer, she spotted Marian standing, two drinks in her hands, also looking down. "Marian, what…"

"Over there - on the right!" said the taller brunette, passing a glass of red wine across to her wife, her eyes never leaving a particular pair on the dance floor. "With that tall, skinny blonde..." she pointed.

Regina followed where she was pointing. About thirty feet away, Robin stood, with his arms around the waist of a slim blonde, both swaying to the romantic music. The woman, almost the same height as him, Had her arms around his back. They seemed to be chatting enthusiastically as they danced, both smiling. Robin seemed to whisper something, and the woman's head tilted back as she roared with laughter.

"Who the hell is that?" asked Marian. "And what's she doing with Robin?"

"Snow said her name was Celia, or something like that. As to who she is, I have no idea."

They both stared, barely noticing the arrival of another woman. "That's Celia, Merlin's daughter," said Emma, noticing them looking daggers at the woman. "She arrived this evening from New York. She normally lives in England."

"Why is she dancing with Robin?" asked Marian, though she seemed to be talking to herself. "Why's she holding him like that?" Emma watched them, watching her, and slowly began to realise…they were jealous? Of Celia?

"They're only dancing and…it's a free country. He is single!" As she said it, both Locksley woman glared at her, almost in annoyance. "Wow - just saying…" she backed away, just as Regina rested a glass on a small side table, turning to go down the steps to the dancefloor. However, the music was just ending and the pair on the floor separated, Robin saying something while lifting and kissing the back of Celia's hand.

"They're coming up!" said Marian. Collecting her wife's glass and handing it to her as they watched their former lover take his dance partner's arm in his and walk up the stairs where Robin was surprised to find his former wife and soulmate awaiting them.

"Regina, Marian? Nice to see you again," as he spoke, neither woman looked at him, but just stared at his partner. "Celia, may I introduce Marian and her wife. Regina Locksley?"

"Marian…as in Maid Marian?" it took a moment for her to connect the dots as he nodded. "Locksley?" Robin saw her puzzled expression.

"I thought Marian had passed away some years ago. After I died, she returned to Storybrooke and eventually married Regina here. Regina took Marian's married name. My family name…"

"Oh!" Celia started realising the awkwardness of the situation. "That explains it. Nice to meet you, I'm Celia, Merlin's daughter." She offered a hand to Regina, who cautiously took it. The moment their hands touched, Regina felt very strong magic! Looking up in surprise, she saw a woman not just tall and slim but…radiantly beautiful. The beautiful long, dark-blonde hair surrounded an elegant face and large pale-green eyes, which looked back at her with a kindly expression. Regina imagined that if it were possible for Elsa and Emma to create a daughter together, she would look like this woman. She was stunning!

"Nice to meet you, too." her voice was clipped. "Yes, I married Marian just over a month ago. Are you here long?"

"Well, I came to see my dad originally, but…" she looked across to Robin. "I might stay around a little longer. You have a fascinating town here." She looked across at the taller woman, now offering her hand to shake. "So, you're really Robin's ex-wife?"

It took a moment for Marian to respond, looking at the woman's hand. Hearing the word 'ex' seemed to hold a sting. "Well strictly speaking, we were never actually divorced! Robin thought I'd been killed. Years later, I found out he had, when I got here."

"So I gather. I've been hearing something about it from his friend John, at the bar!" She looked over at the giant man head and shoulders above the others. "Your town here is incredible and defies all the fairy stories! I've met my all time favourite Snow White and her gorgeous hunk Prince Charming." Regina winced at the praise for her once most-hated enemies. "And their daughter is married to Captain Hook! Then there's Little Red Riding Hood, who's really a leggy brunette, getting married to Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz! And Mulan's living here too, but she's got not only a husband, but a wife as well! And someone told me Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, is actually married to Rumpelstiltskin! You couldn't make this stuff up, could you?"

"Says the daughter of Merlin, the greatest sorcerer who ever lived!" added Robin. "Ironic, don't you think?"

"All the more reason for me to stick around a little longer?" she nudged shoulders with him. "Still, before that I definitely need another drink! Ladies, you make a lovely couple! Now, Robin, it's my shout. What'll you have?"

"Not sure. I'll come back to the bar with you to decide. Ladies, I see you've already got wine, so I'll see you in a little while, okay?" with that, Robin turned, to walk back with Celia, leaving the married couple now staring at their backs.

But they didn't realise that they themselves were being watched, by yet another couple standing nearby!

"Did you see that? The expressions on their faces, when they saw her dancing with Robin? If looks could kill that girl would be worm food by now…"

"I noticed. Seems a shame, really."

"A shame?"

"They still love him, don't they? They could have what we have, if only they realised…"

The dark haired, shorter woman frowned. "You mean both of them - with Robin? Rory, you know something I don't?"

Aurora smiled. "I'm sworn to secrecy, and you know I don't kiss and tell!" she gave Mulan a light peck on the lips. "C'mon, let's go rescue Phil! That couple over there are still nagging him about the street lights again…"


As the next hour passed, their happy group continued celebrating Elsa and John's engagement, while others, whom Robin hadn't met since his return from death, came over to welcome their old friend back. In all that time, Celia Sage (her father's chosen surname for his split persona in England) stayed close by his side, sharing jokes and tales, as he introduced her to everyone he knew. Robin, now centre-stage, ordered champagne for the couple and started to propose a toast. He poked gentle fun at his best friend, telling his new royal fiancée about some of the scrapes the gentle giant had got himself into, to the delight of everyone.

Emma, now sitting at a side table, sharing a bottle of wine with her mother, watched the interplay between everyone with interest. And the fact that Regina and Marian, hanging back on the edge of the group, never seemed to take their eyes of Robin and his new companion, with a look of irritation!

"You noticed it to?" said Snow, distracting her from her thoughts.

"Um…sorry - noticed what?"

"Regina and Marian. The way they're looking at Merlin's daughter…"

"Celia? Why would they be-"

"Because she's young; very beautiful; and seems to like Robin. A lot! They're jealous…"

She had to admit, something like that had crossed her own mind! Only last year she'd been jealous herself. Of Marian and her closeness to Regina. Was it just fear of losing her best friend? "I doubt it!" she said unconvincingly. "Besides…they're married. And he's single!"

"I know what I see, Emma. And so do you! Still, it's none of my business. While I was away, I turned over a new leaf. I'm not getting involved in other people's lives any more, unless asked. But they've been shooting daggers at that young woman all evening."

Emma looked back at Robin and the tall blonde who was now listening intently to something he was saying. "So, you think she likes Robin…like that? She's a lot younger than him!"

"She seems in awe of him, rather than anything romantic. He is famous, after all! But Marian and Regina don't know that. She gave him a kiss on the cheek a couple of minutes ago and I saw Regina positively wince! Marian almost looked…disgusted!"

"But that's just stupid. They've moved on, so he should be allowed to as well! It's bad enough for him to come back and find that his wife and girlfriend have hooked up. So what, if a younger model likes him? They're over him, so he has a right to get over them…"

"But are they over him?" Snow pondered. "That's the thing! According to Tinker Bell, Regina and Robin had true love, like your father and I. That feeling doesn't just go away..."

"He had it with Marian too, according to Merlin! Apparently, Roland has magic too, it just hasn't been released yet. So he's had 'true love' with two people who are with each other now, instead of him. So if anyone deserves a new love interest, it's got to be Robin!"


"I think it's time we left!" said Regina, tugging on her wife's arm, feeling more uncomfortable as, from the back of the group, they watched Celia, her arm around Robin's waist, regaling their audience with a story about her father, making him blush. God, she was starting to hate that woman! "Besides, I'm not feeling so good. I'll just go to the bathroom. Could you wait here for me?"

"Yeah, I think you're right. I've seen enough too! I'll just go say thank you to John and Elsa, and tell them we're leaving..." As Regina left, Marian worked her way through the group, towards the large man, about to bid the couple farewell, when Robin, standing close, raised his glass to propose a toast.

"I think we should also raise a glass and congratulate Merlin's beautiful young daughter here!" Robin turned to face Celia, now blushing and looking up at her father who was sporting a proud grin. "Celia told me that last weekend her boyfriend finally got down on one knee and proposed! She's accepted, so they're to be wed next Spring!" several cheered at the news. "So, Celia, it's been lovely meeting you today, and I'm sure I speak for everyone here in wishing you a wonderful, loving and bountiful marriage. Here's to our bride to be. To Celia!"

"To Celia!" cheered most of the group, clinking glasses to toast her as she blushed, giggling.

Marian stood…confused. "Engaged? Oh! Well, erm, congratulations!" she muttered, now feeling stupid, realising the young woman's familiarity with Robin may have been misinterpreted.

"Thanks. Yes, it's one of the reasons I came here to see dad. Richard and I want to have children eventually, but last week I found out I had a serious health problem, which I needed to fix before we planned anything! Hopefully it's all sorted now, thanks to that handsome Captain over there!" she gave Killian a glowing smile, which he returned with a wink, followed by a smug look at Emma, who rolled her eyes at him.

Robin, who'd been carefully avoiding his former wife, and her lover, saw the look on Marian's face. Guilt? He tried desperately not to use his new talents to read her thoughts. But then, he didn't need to. Her large brown eyes spoke volumes to someone who'd known her so well. And that's when he realised, seeing as both she and Regina had kept their distance tonight, despite all their flirting yesterday.

"Marian, Killian gave her some of the Nostos water that helped bring me back to life! Fingers crossed, she's now going to be fully restored. We've been talking, and she's going to accompany me to New York next week. Then after that, we-"

"New York? Why on earth are you going to New York?"

"Some shopping, clothes mainly, to get me looking more like someone from this land! Her father's going to also meet us there. To get a lawyer sorted out…"

"A lawyer? Why would you want a lawyer?"

"Well first, I don't exist legally in this world. I need to get things like bank accounts set up and Merlin and Cee are going to help with that! Plus, I need to sort out Roland, and Robyn's, legal status, our co-parenting rights and all that other stuff. And I also need to get a passport…"

Regina, having just returned from the bathroom, saw Marian standing near Robin and walked over to join her, when she heard something about a passport. "A passport? What on earth would you want with a passport?"

He arched a brow at her, "I would have thought that's obvious? To travel, of course…

"Gina, Robin's going to New York next week…with Celia." Marian added.

Regina's change was instant! "With her?" then she gave the woman an icy glare. "You certainly dug your claws in quick, didn't you dear?" she said, angrily.

Celia was confused. "I'm sorry, what?"

Marian saw her reaction, realising what she'd just assumed. "Gina, you don't understand-"

But Regina was in no mood for this. "You've been latched onto him like a limpet all evening! He's got children here, for god's sake!"

Celia was stunned by her outburst. "No...it's not like that! You've got-"

"Yeah, sure I believe that! You've been flirting with him all evening! And now he says he's going to-"

"I'M ENGAGED, YOU SILLY WOMAN!" Celia bellowed back, raising her left hand to show a large diamond on her ring finger. "LOOK!"

Regina flinched, as Robin stepped in. "Regina, if you'd been here earlier, you'd have heard me toasting her engagement…to a very handsome young doctor, back in London. I'm going with her, and her family, to see a lawyer from our realm, get a bank account, and all that sort of thing! Merlin's going to be helping me."

Regina was mortified, having embarrassed herself totally!

"I'm…I'm sorry. I made a wrong assumption," she groaned. "Congratulations. Marian, can we go now please?"


Mifflin Street

An hour later, at home, Regina winced at the embarrassing memory of what happened earlier. Especially after Marian, having stopped off to speak to Killian Jones on the way out of the club, had been told just why the stranger had come to Storybrooke in the first place! As she shrugged up on the sofa, resting her head on her knees, Marian brought her a hot chocolate nightcap. "Here, take this…"

"I feel a right bloody fool! Marian, you really should have stopped me…"

"Me? You only just got back from the loo! It's hardly my fault you went blundering in before she'd hardly said a word!" Seeing the hurt look on her wife's face, she stopped. "Sorry. Still, never mind, I'm sure they'll have forgotten it by the morning. Anyway, to be honest, I'm more worried about Robin travelling abroad. What if he wants to take Roland? He mentioned a lawyer…and co-parenting rights! Gina, I was hoping for everything being done unofficially, just between ourselves! If he wants to get a lawyer involved, that could mean…"

That seemed to do the job of snapping Regina out of her self-pity. "Don't. I think that's more for dealing with Zelena and young Robyn, rather than us. If Zelena decides to stay in California, like she told me, he's going to need people to act for him on the 'outside'. And to do that, he's going to need to create a life, a back story, birth certificates and all that sort of thing. He definitely needs a lawyer and Merlin for that! Still, I don't like the thought of him travelling either…"

"But what if you're wrong, Gina? What if he goes somewhere and decides to stay away? Where would that leave Roland?"

"I have no idea. But he's single now, isn't he? He can do what he wants…"

"Yeah. I saw the looks you were giving Merlin's daughter when she was dancing with him. If looks could kill, that girl would be ashes by now!"

"Me? You were positively growling when she hugged him! I thought you were going to throw the sort of punch you gave Emma!"

Marian sat down on the opposite side of the sofa, facing her. "I felt like it. Then I realised, I was badly mistaken. But that's our problem isn't it, Gina? He's now a single, attractive guy and we're both still in love with him! We both admitted it to each other. And him. And let's face it, other women are going to be interested in him until, at some point, he becomes interested in someone, himself. And when that happens, Roland's gonna want to stay with him…"

They sipped their hot chocolate during the awkward silence that followed, until finally: "I guess that brings up back to what we talked about yesterday. About us 'seducing' him? I know you've been dreaming about him, Marian. I have too…"

"I heard you call his name out last night, in your sleep! I didn't want to embarrass you by mentioning it. But you did."

"Well, it's all out there now, isn't it? You know, I've been thinking about what you said yesterday. About the three of us having the same sort of relationship as the Briars have with Mulan? Well…I think I rather like the idea, if it were at all possible."

"You do?" Marian sat up, taking her wife's hand. "Not just seducing him but, bringing him into our life? Maybe, one day, into our marriage?" Regina gave her a slow, cautious nod, before giving her a nervous smile. "What made you change?"

"Seeing Li with her parents and her little brother. They're a cute family, aren't they?. Different to most, but no less real. And that got me thinking about Roland. He won't accept living with you unless he lives with his father. But he needs his mother too, a family around him, and that means you and Robin under one roof. And then I thought about…another baby."

"You want to have a child of your own? That's understandable."

"I made myself infertile just to spite my mother and it was the worst mistake I ever made. But if I hadn't, I wouldn't have had Henry, so I can't regret it! But the Nostos waters have definitely changed me. I'm having periods again, so I think I could be fertile. There may be time…"

"Regina, if you want this, then so do I, and I'll do everything possible to help! You're a wonderful mother to Henry," she placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "And I'd love to raise a child with you!"

"And I'd love you to be it's mother too. But there's only one man I would ever consider to father our baby."

"So, we need to not so much seduce him, but make him fall in love with both of us all over again, don't we?"

"Sounds like you have an idea?"